THE Dallas Shopping Centre’s new look has been officially launched, complete with pavement stencils, feature tiles and street furniture – but no Horsey.

Hume Council put $1 million into the centre’s upgrade and the State Government contributed $250,000 through its Community Crime Prevention Grants program.

The revamped Dargie Court shopping centre includes public lighting improvements, an access ramp with balustrade, raised tree plot seating, drainage upgrades, colourful shapes painted on the footpath and feature tiles with a multicultural theme.

But one notable historic feature of the court remains missing – the “Horsey” sculpture that was installed in the centre in 1965.

The artwork went missing after council contractors moved it to a compound in April, from where it was possibly stolen.

A Facebook page, Hume Council please save Dargie Court’s Horsey, has attracted more than 100 members, calling for the artwork to be reinstalled.

Council spokesman Michael Sinclair said the council had allocated funding in the 2016/17 budget to replace Horsey, and was investigating options about how to do so.

“How that will be done is still to be determined, however, we will be in touch when further information is available,” Mr Sinclair said.

Broadmeadows state Labor MP Frank McGuire said the centre’s upgrade would benefit traders by promoting a safer environment.

He said the centre “previously lacked adequate surveillance and lighting, making it a target for crime including graffiti, property damage, theft and anti-social behaviour”.

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